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Hans India
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Sand Scam Busted: Govt Cancels Kottapally Sand Mining Permission After Massive Irregularities Exposed
Mahabubnagar: In a major victory for transparency and public activism, the Telangana government has cancelled sand mining permissions at the Kottapally sand reach in Midzil mandal of Mahabubnagar district following explosive allegations of large-scale illegal mining and extortion. The move comes after Nenusaitham social activist Diddi Praveen Kumar blew the whistle on the ongoing illegalities and filed formal complaints with both the district administration and Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. He alleged that the mining contractor, with the backing of revenue and mining officials, had excavated sand far beyond the permitted depth of 2.5 meters, illegally reaching depths of over 10 meters, causing crores of rupees loss to the state exchequer. In a shocking revelation, it was also alleged that the contractor and project officers had appointed private goons who established three unauthorized check-posts. Each truck transporting sand was allegedly forced to pay Rs. 8,000 at one post and an additional Rs. 3,000 at another point where private individuals, allegedly appointed by the Mining Project Officer, cleared waybills illegally. It was further claimed that multiple trucks were cleared on a single waybill, deepening the scale of the fraud. Following sustained protests, public outrage, and a series of reports in Hans India, the Chief Minister took cognizance of the issue. Acting swiftly, he instructed the Mahabubnagar District Collector Viziyendira Boi to investigate and take action. Acting on the CM's orders, the Collector has officially cancelled the sand mining permissions for the Kottapally reach. Speaking to the media, Praveen Kumar thanked CM Revanth Reddy for his prompt response and urged the district administration to blacklist the contractor involved. He demanded that criminal cases be booked under the WALTA Act against all individuals and officials complicit in the scam. 'If no legal action is initiated, I will move the High Court,' he warned. The cancellation marks a significant milestone in the fight against the sand mafia in Telangana. However, activists continue to call for a broader crackdown on corrupt officials and systemic loopholes that allow such illegal operations to thrive.
New Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Erratic spells of rain do little for groundwater levels in Telangana
HYDERABAD: While the recent spells of rain across Hyderabad did offer some relief from the sweltering heat, groundwater levels in the city remain largely unaffected. The reason? Widespread concretisation that hindered rainwater infiltration, causing most of the runoff to drain into stormwater systems rather than replenishing underground aquifers. Between May 1 and 15 this year, over 1.14 lakh water tankers were booked by consumers through the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB), with a daily average exceeding 7,610 bookings — similar to previous years. Officials confirmed that the rains had minimal impact on groundwater recharge, with most water flowing into drains instead of soaking into the soil. The groundwater in Hyderabad is classified as overexploited. Authorities have pointed to the lack of rainwater percolation due to urban development and inadequate implementation of Rain Water Harvesting Structures (RWHS). Though about 45–50% of houses and apartments have RWHS pits, many have become defunct due to poor maintenance. As borewells dry up during summer, the dependency on tankers continues. Officials said that any noteworthy recharge would require 10 to 15 consecutive days of rainfall. This means that occasional spells of rain are insufficient to restore groundwater levels. Recharge wells, or injection wells, are also being considered as a solution for direct percolation into deeper aquifers. HMWSSB has been promoting RWHS and public awareness on their benefits. The HMWSSB has urged the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to enforce stricter compliance under the WALTA Act, particularly by verifying RWHS construction before granting Occupancy Certificates for buildings over 200 square metres. HMWSSB has also offered technical assistance for RWHS installation.
